A Vapour Generating System

ABSTRACT

A vapour generating system includes a base part including a heating element and a cartridge releasably connectable to the base part. The cartridge includes a liquid store for storing a vapour generating liquid, first and second vaporization zones physically separated from each other and in communication with the liquid store for receiving vapour generating liquid from the liquid store, and a heat transfer unit configured to transfer heat from the heating element to the first and second vaporization zones to vaporize vapour generating liquid in the first and second vaporization zones.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a vapour generating systemconfigured to heat a vapour generating liquid to generate a vapour whichcools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of thesystem. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate in particular to avapour generating system comprising a reusable base part and a cartridgeconfigured to be used with reusable base part.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

The term vapour generating system (or more commonly electronic cigaretteor e-cigarette) refers to a handheld electronic device that is intendedto simulate the feeling or experience of smoking tobacco in atraditional cigarette. Electronic cigarettes work by heating a vapourgenerating liquid to generate a vapour that cools and condenses to forman aerosol which is then inhaled by the user. Accordingly, usinge-cigarettes is also sometimes referred to as “vaping”. The vapourgenerating liquid usually comprises nicotine, propylene glycol,glycerine and flavourings.

Typical e-cigarette vaporizing units, i.e. systems or sub-systems forvaporizing the vapour generating liquid, utilize a cotton wick andheating element to produce vapour from liquid stored in a capsule ortank. When a user operates the e-cigarette, liquid that has soaked intothe wick is heated by the heating element, producing a vapour whichcools and condenses to form an aerosol which may then be inhaled. Tofacilitate the ease of use of e-cigarettes, cartridges are often used.These cartridges are often configured as “cartomizers”, which means anintegrated component formed from a liquid store (reservoir), a liquidtransfer element (e.g. a wick) and a heater. Electrical connectors mayalso be provided to establish an electrical connection between theheating element and a power source. Such cartridges may be disposable,i.e. not intended to be capable of reuse after the supply of liquid inthe reservoir has been exhausted. Alternatively, they may be reusable,being provided with means allowing the reservoir to be refilled with anew supply of vapour generating liquid. Particularly in the case ofdisposable cartridges, it is desirable to reduce the number andcomplexity of their components, thereby reducing waste and making themanufacturing process simpler and cheaper.

It has, therefore, been proposed to provide a vapour generating systemin which a heating element is integrated into a reusable base part andin which a disposable cartridge is releasably connectable to the basepart such that the vapour generating liquid in the reservoir can beheated by the heating element in the base part. Integrating the heatingelement into the reusable base part allows the cartridge structure to besimplified. There is, however, a need to further improve the energyefficiency of this type of vapour generating system and the presentdisclosure seeks to address this need.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provideda vapour generating system comprising:

-   -   a base part including a heating element; and    -   a cartridge releasably connectable to the base part, the        cartridge comprising:        -   a liquid store for storing a vapour generating liquid;        -   first and second vaporization zones in communication with            the liquid store for receiving vapour generating liquid from            the liquid store; and        -   a heat transfer unit configured to transfer heat from the            heating element to the first and second vaporization zones            to vaporize vapour generating liquid in the first and second            vaporization zones.

The base part may include a power supply unit, e.g. a battery, connectedto the heating element. In operation, upon activating the vapourgenerating system, the power supply unit electrically heats the heatingelement of the base part, which then provides its heat by conduction tothe heat transfer unit of the cartridge. The heat transfer unit, inturn, provides the heat to the first and second vaporization zones,resulting in vaporization of the vapour generating liquid. Vapourcreated during this process is transferred from the first and secondvaporization zones via a vapour outlet channel in the cartridge so thatit can be inhaled by a user of the vapour generating system.

The first and second vaporization zones are physically separated fromeach other. The provision of physically separated first and secondvaporization zones in which vapour generating liquid from the liquidstore is heated provides for more effective and controlled vapourgeneration. The energy efficiency of the vapour generating system isthereby also improved.

In general terms, a vapour is a substance in the gas phase at atemperature lower than its critical temperature, which means that thevapour can be condensed to a liquid by increasing its pressure withoutreducing the temperature, whereas an aerosol is a suspension of finesolid particles or liquid droplets, in air or another gas. It should,however, be noted that the terms ‘aerosol’ and ‘vapour’ may be usedinterchangeably in this specification, particularly with regard to theform of the inhalable medium that is generated for inhalation by a user.

The heating element may contact the heat transfer unit in a firstcontact zone to transfer heat to the first vaporization zone and maycontact the heat transfer unit in a second contact zone to transfer heatto the second vaporization zone. Heat is thereby transferred efficientlyfrom the heating element to the first and second vaporization zones.

The heat transfer unit may comprise a first heat transfer elementpositioned in the first contact zone and may comprise a second heattransfer element positioned in the second contact zone. By using firstand second heat transfer elements, heat is transferred efficiently fromthe heating element to the first and second heating zones, therebymaximising the energy efficiency of the vapour generating system.

The heat transfer unit may consist of one heat transfer element having afirst part positioned in the first contact zone and a second partpositioned in the second contact zone. By using a single heat transferelement to transfer heat from the heating element to the first andsecond vaporization zones, the structure of the cartridge may besimplified and the manufacturability of the cartridge thereby improved.

The first and second parts of the heat transfer element may be separatedby a thermal barrier. The provision of a thermal barrier allows theheating of the first and second parts of the heat transfer element, andhence the heating of the first and second vaporization zones, to becarefully controlled and optimized.

The first and second vaporization zones may be located oppositely withrespect to a longitudinal axis of the vapour generating system. This mayfacilitate manufacture and assembly of the vapour generating system.

The vapour generating system may further comprise a first sorptionmember at least partially disposed in the first vaporization zone forabsorbing vapour generating liquid from the liquid store and maycomprise a second sorption member at least partially disposed in thesecond vaporization zone for absorbing vapour generating liquid from theliquid store. The heat transfer unit may contact the first and secondsorption members respectively in the first and second vaporization zonesto vaporize the absorbed vapour generating liquid. This is a continuousprocess, in which vapour generating liquid from the liquid store iscontinuously absorbed by the first and second sorption members. As notedabove, vapour created during this process is transferred from the firstand second vaporization zones via a vapour outlet channel in thecartridge so that it can be inhaled by a user of the vapour generatingsystem.

The liquid store may include first and second liquid outlets. The firstand second vaporization zones may be in communication respectively withthe first and second liquid outlets for receiving vapour generatingliquid from the liquid store. The first and second liquid outlets mayhelp to provide a controlled flow of vapour generating liquid from theliquid store to the first and second vaporization zones, therebyfacilitating vapour generation in the first and second vaporizationzones.

The heating element and the heat transfer unit may define a matingprofile in at least the first and second contact zones. The matingprofile facilitates alignment of the heating element and the heattransfer unit, thus maximising heat transfer from the heating element tothe heat transfer unit in the first and second contact zones and, inturn, maximising the energy efficiency of the vapour generating system.

The mating profile may comprise a plurality of cooperating matingsurfaces. For example, the mating profile may comprise a convex profilesection and a complementary concave profile section. The heating elementmay be formed with the convex profile section and the heat transfer unitmay be formed with the concave profile section. The mating profile maybe a generally V-section profile. The provision of a convex profilesection and a complementary concave profile section, and in particular aV-section profile, may provide a good balance between manufacturabilityand alignment capability.

The vapour generating liquid may comprise polyhydric alcohols andmixtures thereof such as glycerine or propylene glycol. The vapourgenerating liquid may contain nicotine and may, therefore, be designateda nicotine-containing liquid. The vapour generating liquid may containone or more additives, such as a flavouring.

The sorption member can be made of any material or a combination ofmaterials being able to perform sorption and/or absorption of anothermaterial, and can be made, for example, of one or more of the followingmaterials: fibre, glass, aluminium, cotton, ceramic, cellulose, glassfibre wick, stainless steel mesh, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene,polyethylene terephthalate (PET), poly(cyclohexanedimethyleneterephthalate) (PCT), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT),polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), expanded polytetrafluoroethylene(ePTFE), and BAREX®, etc.

The heat transfer unit may comprise a thermally conductive material, forexample, a metal such as aluminium, copper, etc.

The heating element may comprise an electrically resistive material. Theheating element may include a ceramic material, for example tungsten andalloys thereof. The use of a ceramic material conveniently helps torigidify the heating element. The heating element may be at leastpartially encapsulated in, or coated with, a protective material, suchas glass.

The heating element may be formed using a metal having a definedrelationship between temperature and resistivity. In such embodiments,the metal may be formed as a track between two layers of suitableinsulating materials. A heating element formed in this manner may beused both as a heater and a temperature sensor.

The heating element may include a temperature sensor embedded therein orattached thereto.

The power supply unit, e.g. battery, may be a DC voltage source. Forexample, the power supply unit may be a Nickel-metal hydride battery, aNickel cadmium battery, or a Lithium based battery, for example aLithium-Cobalt, a Lithium-Iron-Phosphate, a Lithium-Ion or aLithium-Polymer battery.

The base part may further comprise a processor associated withelectrical components of the vapour generating system, including thebattery.

The cartridge may further comprise: a cartridge housing at leastpartially including the liquid store and the first and secondvaporization zones, and a vapour outlet channel extending along thecartridge housing and in fluid communication with the first and secondvaporization zones. The first and second vaporization zones may bephysically separated on opposite sides of the vapour outlet channel. Thecartridge housing may have a proximal end configured as a mouthpiece endwhich is in fluid communication with the first and second vaporizationzones via the vapour outlet channel and a distal end associated with theheat transfer unit. The mouthpiece end may be configured for providingthe vaporized liquid to the user. The heat transfer unit may be disposedat the distal end. The heat transfer unit may be substantiallyperpendicular to the vapour outlet channel.

The liquid store may be juxtaposed with the vapour outlet channelextending between the first and second vaporization zones and themouthpiece end. The liquid store may be disposed around the vapouroutlet channel.

The cartridge housing may be made of one or more of the followingmaterials: aluminium, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyimides, such asKapton®, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE),high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS),fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE),polyoxymethylene (POM), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), Acrylonitrilebutadiene styrene (ABS), Polycarbonates (PC), epoxy resins, polyurethaneresins and vinyl resins.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a vapour generating system comprising abase part and a cartridge;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first example of a cartridge;

FIG. 3 is a cutaway view of the cartridge shown in FIG. 2 showing firstand second vaporization zones;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cutaway view of a base portion of the cartridgeshown in FIG. with first and second sorption members removed from thefirst and second vaporization zones;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of part of the base portion ofFIG. 4 showing a second plug member and first and second heat transferelements;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic perspective view of part of a second example ofa cartridge, showing a second plug member, a single heat transferelement and first and second sorption members;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the heat transfer elementof FIG. 6 ; and

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a heating element of thebase part.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way ofexample only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring initially to FIG. 1 , there is shown diagrammatically a vapourgenerating system 1 for vaporizing a vapour generating liquid togenerate a vapour (or aerosol) for inhalation by a user of the system 1.The vapour generating system 1 comprises a base part 10 and a cartridge12 thermically connected to the base part 10. The base part 10 is thusthe main body part of the vapour generating system 1 and is preferablyre-usable.

The base part 12 comprises a housing 14 accommodating a power supplyunit in the form of a battery 16 connected to a resistive heatingelement 18 located at a first end 14 a of the housing 14. The first end14 a of the housing 14 has an interface 15 configured for matching acorresponding interface of the cartridge 12. The battery 16 isconfigured for providing the heating element 18 with the necessaryelectrical power for its operation, allowing it to become heated to arequired temperature. The battery 16 is also connected to a processor20, enabling the required power supply for its operation. The processor20 is connected to the heating element 18 and controls its operation.

Referring additionally to FIGS. 2 to 5 , in a first example thecartridge 12 comprises a cartridge housing 22 having a proximal end 24and a distal end 26. The proximal end may constitute a mouthpiece endconfigured for being introduced directly into a user's mouth and may,therefore, also be designated as the mouth end 24. In some embodiments,a mouthpiece may be fitted to the proximal end 24. However, it is alsopossible to configure the vapour generating system 1 with a separatemouthpiece portion, releasably connectable to the base part 10 andwhereby the cartridge 12 is enclosed inside the vapour generating system1.

The cartridge 12 comprises a base portion 28 and a liquid storageportion 30. The liquid storage portion 30 comprises a liquid store 32,configured for containing therein a vapour generating liquid, and avapour outlet channel 34. The vapour generating liquid may comprise anaerosol-forming substance such as propylene glycol and/or glycerol andmay contain other substances such as nicotine and acids. The vapourgenerating liquid may also comprise flavourings such as, e.g., tobacco,menthol, or fruit flavour. The liquid store 32 may extend generallybetween the proximal end 24 and the distal end 26, but is spaced fromthe distal end 26. The liquid store 32 may surround, and coextend with,the vapour outlet channel 34.

As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the base portion 28 of the cartridge 12may be configured to sealingly close off the distal end 26 of thecartridge 12. The base portion comprises a plug assembly 36 comprisingfirst and second plug members 36 a, 36 b. The plug assembly 36, and morespecifically the first plug member 36 a, closes the distal end 26 of thecartridge housing 22 and thereby retains the vapour generating liquid inthe liquid store 32. The first plug member 36 a is provided with acircumferential surface that is in contact with the innercircumferential surface of the liquid store 32. The first plug member 36a may be formed of a material with an elasticity that provides a sealingeffect when the circumferential surface 46 contacts the innercircumferential surface of the liquid store 32. For example, the firstplug member 36 a may comprise rubber or silicone. Alternatively, thefirst plug member 36 a may comprise a thermoplastic material whichenables the first plug member 36 a and the liquid store 32 to be joinedtogether by, e.g., ultrasonic welding. The first plug member 36 acomprises a connecting portion 44 which is configured to sealinglyconnect to a distal end 34 a of the vapour outlet channel 34 as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4 .

The cartridge 12 includes first and second vaporization zones 48 a, 48 bformed in the base portion 28. The first and second vaporization zones48 a, 48 b are positioned on opposite sides of the vapour outlet channel34, i.e., oppositely with respect to a longitudinal axis of the vapourgenerating system 1, to physically separate the first and secondvaporization zones 48 a, 48 b from each other. A first sorption member38 a can be positioned in the first vaporization zone 48 a and a secondsorption member 38 b can be positioned in the second vaporization zone48 b as shown in FIG. 3 , although the use of sorption members 38 a, 38b is not essential. In the illustrated example, the first sorptionmember 38 a absorbs vapour generating liquid from the liquid store 32via one or more first liquid outlets 50 a formed in the first plugmember 36 a and the second sorption member 38 b absorbs vapourgenerating liquid from the liquid store 32 via one or more second liquidoutlets 50 b formed in the first plug member 36 a.

The cartridge 12 includes a heat transfer unit 42 which is configured totransfer heat from the heating element 18 of the base part 10 to thefirst and second vaporization zones 48 a, 48 b to vaporize liquid in thefirst and second vaporization zones 48 a, 48 b. In the first example ofthe cartridge illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 5 , the heat transfer unitconsists of a first heat transfer element 42 a positioned in a firstcontact zone 40 a adjacent to the first vaporization zone 48 a and asecond heat transfer element 42 b positioned in a second contact zone 40b adjacent to the second vaporization zone 48 b. The first heat transferelement 42 a contacts the first sorption member 38 a in the firstcontact zone 40 a to transfer heat to the first sorption member 38 a andvaporize vapour generating liquid absorbed from the liquid store 32 viathe one or more first liquid outlets 50 a. Similarly, the second heattransfer element 42 b contacts the second sorption member 38 b in thesecond contact zone 40 b to transfer heat to the second sorption member38 b and vaporize vapour generating liquid absorbed from the liquidstore 32 via the one or more second liquid outlets 50 b.

The first and second heat transfer elements 42 a, 42 b can be mounted onthe second plug member 36 b in the first and second contact zones 40 a,40 b, and the first and second sorption members 38 a, 38 b can bedisposed between the first plug member 36 a and the respective first andsecond heat transfer element 42 a, 42 b in the respective first andsecond vaporization zones 48 a, 48 b. The first and second heat transferelements 42 a, 42 b can have a stepped surface profile, for exampleformed by a plurality of ridges and grooves, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 sothat the first and second heat transfer elements 42 a, 42 b are only inpartial contact with the respective first and second sorption members 38a, 38 b. The use of a stepped surface profile is not, however, essentialand the first and second heat transfer elements 42 a, 42 b could insteadhave a flat surface profile or a surface profile with only a singleridge, for example a V-section profile.

When the base part 10 and the cartridge 12 are assembled together asshown schematically in FIG. 1 , the heating element 18 of the base part10 contacts the first and second heat transfer elements 42 a, 42 b ofthe cartridge 12, such that the cartridge is thermically connected tothe base part 10. In operation, the heating element 18 is resistivelyheated by the power from the battery 16 and provides its heat to thefirst and second heat transfer elements 42 a, 42 b via conduction, sothat the first and second heat transfer elements 42 a, 42 b are heatedindependently of each other by the heating element 18. The heat from thefirst and second heat transfer elements 42 a, 42 b is then transferredrespectively to the first and second sorption members 38 a, 38 b, mainlyby conduction. Thus, the first and second sorption members 38 a, 38 bare heated indirectly by the first and second heat transfer elements 42a, 42 b, and not directly by the heating element 18 of the base part 10.The heating element 18 in the base part 12 ideally needs to attain atemperature of around 500° C. in order to transfer enough heat such thatthe interface between the first and second sorption members 38 a, 38 band the first and second heat transfer elements 42 a, 42 b reaches atemperature at which vaporization occurs (typically between 200° C. and250° C.). As a result of heating of the first and second sorptionmembers 38 a, 38 b, the vapour generating liquid absorbed therein fromthe liquid store 32 is vaporized in the first and second vaporizationzones 48 a, 48 b, and the vapour escapes from the first and secondvaporization zones 48 a, 48 b via the vapour outlet channel 34 when auser sucks on the proximal (mouth) end 24 of the cartridge 12. Thevapour cools and condenses as it flows through the vapour outlet channel34 to form an aerosol that can be inhaled by a user via the proximal(mouth) end 24.

The cartridge 12 includes first and second air inlets 52 a, 52 b toallow air to flow respectively to the first and second vaporizationzones 48 a, 48 b during use of the vapour generating system 1 when auser sucks on the proximal (mouth) end 24 of the cartridge 12 asdescribed above. In the illustrated example, the first and second airinlets 52 a, 52 b are formed in the second plug member 36 b and allowair to flow to the first and second vaporization zones 48 a, 48 b alongpaths formed between the first and second plug members 36 a, 36 b. Otherconfigurations are, however, entirely within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 to 8 , there is shown part of a second exampleof a cartridge which is similar to the cartridge 12 described above butwhich employs an alternative heat transfer unit 42 consisting of asingle heat transfer element 54 configured to transfer heat from theheating element 18 of the base part 10 to the first and secondvaporization zines 48 a, 48 b. As best seen in FIG. 7 , the heattransfer element 54 includes a generally V-section profile 56 with anupper convex profile section 58 in contact with the first and secondsorption members 38 a, 38 b in the first and second vaporization zones48 a, 48 b and a lower concave profile section 60 configured to contacta corresponding convex profile section 62 of the heating element 18 (seeFIG. 8 ).

When the base part 10 and the cartridge 12 are assembled together asshown schematically in FIG. 1 , the heating element 18 shown in FIG. 8contacts the heat transfer element 54 in a first contact zone 40 a totransfer heat to the first vaporization zone 48 a and contacts the heattransfer element 54 in a second contact zone 40 b to transfer heat tothe second vaporization zone 48 b. Thus, the heat transfer element 54has a first part 54 a positioned in the first contact zone 40 a adjacentto the first vaporization zone 38 a and a second part 54 b positioned inthe second contact zone 40 b adjacent to the second vaporization zone 38b. The first part 54 a of the heat transfer element 54 is contacted bythe first sorption member 38 a and thus transfers heat from the heatingelement 18 to the first sorption member 38 a to vaporize absorbed vapourgenerating liquid in the first vaporization zone 48 a. The second part54 b of the heat transfer element 54 is contacted by the second sorptionmember 38 b and thus transfers heat from the heating element 18 to thesecond sorption member 38 b to vaporize absorbed vapour generatingliquid in the second vaporization zone 48 b.

In order to minimise heat transfer between the first and second parts 54a, 54 b of the heat transfer element 54, the first and second parts 54a, 54 b can be separated by a thermal barrier 66, for example in theform of an opening formed in the heat transfer element 54.

Although exemplary embodiments have been described in the precedingparagraphs, it should be understood that various modifications may bemade to those embodiments without departing from the scope of theappended claims. Thus, the breadth and scope of the claims should not belimited to the above-described exemplary embodiments.

Any combination of the above-described features in all possiblevariations thereof is encompassed by the present disclosure unlessotherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and thelike, are to be construed in an inclusive as opposed to an exclusive orexhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but notlimited to”.

1. A vapour generating system comprising: a base part including aheating element; and a cartridge releasably connectable to the basepart, the cartridge comprising: a liquid store for storing a vapourgenerating liquid; first and second vaporization zones in communicationwith the liquid store for receiving vapour generating liquid from theliquid store, wherein the first and second vaporization zones arephysically separated from each other; and a heat transfer unitconfigured to transfer heat from the heating element to the first andsecond vaporization zones to vaporize vapour generating liquid in thefirst and second vaporization zones.
 2. The vapour generating systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the heating element is configured tocontacts the heat transfer unit in a first contact zone to transfer heatto the first vaporization zone and in a second contact zone to transferheat to the second vaporization zone.
 3. The vapour generating systemaccording to claim 2, wherein the heat transfer unit comprises a firstheat transfer element positioned in the first contact zone and a secondheat transfer element positioned in the second contact zone.
 4. Thevapour generating system according to claim 2, wherein the heat transferunit consists of one heat transfer element having a first partpositioned in the first contact zone and a second part positioned in thesecond contact zone.
 5. The vapour generating system according to claim4, wherein the first and second parts of the heat transfer element areseparated by a thermal barrier.
 6. The vapour generating systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the first and second vaporization zonesare located oppositely with respect to a longitudinal axis of the vapourgenerating system.
 7. The vapour generating system according to claim 1,further comprising a first sorption member at least partially disposedin the first vaporization zone for absorbing vapour generating liquidfrom the liquid store and a second sorption member at least partiallydisposed in the second vaporization zone for absorbing vapour generatingliquid from the liquid store, wherein the heat transfer unit contactsthe first and second sorption members respectively in the first andsecond vaporization zones to vaporize the absorbed vapour generatingliquid.
 8. The vapour generating system according to claim 1, whereinthe liquid store includes first and second liquid outlets and the firstand second vaporization zones are in communication respectively with thefirst and second liquid outlets for receiving vapour generating liquidfrom the liquid store.
 9. The vapour generating system according toclaim 2, wherein the heating element and the heat transfer unit areconfigured to define a mating profile in at least the first and secondcontact zones.
 10. The vapour generating system according to claim 9,wherein the mating profile comprises a plurality of cooperating matingsurfaces.
 11. The vapour generating system according to claim 9, whereinthe mating profile comprises a convex profile section and acomplementary concave profile section.
 12. The vapour generating systemaccording to claim 11, wherein the heating element is formed with theconvex profile section and the heat transfer unit is formed with theconcave profile section.
 13. The vapour generating system according toclaim 9, wherein the mating profile is a substantially V-sectionprofile.